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IsarphilharmonieMunich’s most modern concert hall

Description & impressions

Since the Isarphilharmonie opened in October 2021, it has quickly gained a reputation for its special atmosphere and excellent sound. The list of orchestras performing here reads like a veritable Who’s Who, headed by the Munich Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Chamber Orchestra. High profile concert agencies see the auditorium as the perfect place for guest appearances by national and international orchestras and it also hosts jazz productions and large-scale popular music concerts of all genres.

 

But the Isarphilharmonie also has another string to its bow: it can be blacked out, making it the ideal venue for film screenings – with or without orchestral accompaniment.

Accessibility

  • Level access via Schäftlarnstraße, Hans-Preißinger-Straße and Brudermühlstraße (wide steps/gradual ramp) and Hall E
  • Up to 20 wheelchair spaces (back to row 10 in the stalls)
  • Lift with wheelchair access up to the dress circle on the first floor
  • Braille signage; accessible toilets are located on the ground floor and mezzanine in Hall E
  • Potential obstacles: Stalls from row 10, dress circle and gallery areas do not have unrestricted disabled access (more information)
  • Induction loop: We will activate the system on request. Please notify us by e-mail
  • More information about accessibility

 

Interior of concert hall from above, illuminated in red, spotlights from stage, crowded auditorium
Dark concert hall, heads from behind, on the illuminated stage the orchestra musicians, the choir behind them elevated on the choir balcony
Isarphilharmonie as cinema at the film festival opening
Spotlights over a stage, a band plays, couples dance
View from the packed auditorium of the Isarphilharmonie to the stage
View from the stage, the musicians stand in a row and bow to the audience
Beautiful lighting and atmosphere at the concert of the Jazzrausch Bigband in the Isarphilharmonie
On the stage crowded with musicians, a singing lady is in the spotlight
View from the beautifully lit stage of the Isarphilharmonie. Iggy Pop stands at the edge to the audience
Concert hall, rows of audience in darkness, view of illuminated stage with many people dancing on it
View over the audience to the stage, the lighting is atmospheric in orange, you can see the singer at the grand piano.

Architecture & acoustics

The building that houses the Isarphilharmonie is a steel structure with an internal volume of nearly 60,000 cubic metres. The concert hall itself can accommodate almost 2000 guests and is made from prefabricated solid wood elements. The walls are clad with black-stained softwood panels, while the stage and floors are made from light cedar wood for a striking contrast. The Isarphilharmonie at Gasteig HP8 was built by the general contractor NÜSSLI to the plans of architects gmp – Gerkan, Marg und Partner.

“I am so happy! Look at me, I still haven’t stopped smiling.”

Dr. Yasuhisa Toyota after the initial acoustic trial

The Isarphilharmonie acoustics were created by Nagata Acoustics International – the team led by star acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota – who were also involved with the construction of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and the Philharmonie de Paris.

The acoustics expert Toyota beaming with arms outstretched in the auditorium of the Isarphilharmonie, in the background musicians on stage at the acoustic text of the concert hall
From the upper stalls on the left, one looks diagonally onto the bright stage of the dark concert hall.
Leerer Zuschauerrang, man sieht die schwarzen Holzpanele der Wandverkleidung

The foyer of Hall E

The foyer of the Isarphilharmonie is housed in Hall E, a former transformer warehouse dating from the 1920s. Every effort was made during the extensive renovation to retain and enhance the building’s industrial charm. The exterior of Hall E is made of red brick, while its large glass roof means that the interior is bright and spacious. The old industrial crane remains suspended from the ceiling, harking back to its history as a transformer hall. The ground floor of the bustling foyer also houses the GAiA Deli & News reading cafe, the GAiA Bar, the information and ticket desk, as well as the Projektor hall.

More background information

Technical details and plans

The auditorium can seat up to 1956 people, depending on the size of the stage. This figure includes 20 wheelchair spaces and 200 podium/choir places. The audience areas consist of a ground floor – with a level, flexible area – and tiered stalls. There is dress circle seating on level 1 and galleries on level 2. There is lift access to the upper levels, with the exception of the galleries.

The stage in the Isarphilharmonie can be extended to an area of up to 291 m²; when fully extended, it has a depth of 13.90 m. A stage depth of 11 m means an area of 220 m² is available, while the area for a depth of 12.90 m is 266.50 m². A delivery area is located directly behind the stage, along with artists’ dressing rooms and warm-up rooms.

The Isarphilharmonie has an in-house recording studio, as well as its own lighting, projection and sound control systems. It also boasts two follow spot rooms, a narrator’s booth and a permanently installed audio system (a Meyer Sound PA system). The auditorium is equipped with a large screen and top-class cinematic sound systems.

The lower machinery consists of four ring-shaped, interconnected platforms, which can be manoeuvred extremely flexibly. The upper machinery in the Isarphilharmonie consists of three heavy-duty cross beams above the stage, two scenery cross beams in front of the stage and four lighting cross beams in the body of the auditorium. All of the machinery can be fully programmed.

If you have any other questions or requirements, our project managers and technicians will be happy to advise you.

Contact details

If you’re interested in hiring the Isarphilharmonie for an event, then please get in touch with us.

If you have any questions, please contact the Gasteig Events Team at +49 89-480 98-800.

More about the Isarphilharmonie

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The Isarphilharmonie is being built: a time-lapse video

Other rooms and halls at Gasteig HP8

What’s on in the Isarphilharmonie